Play It Forward: Ranking the top 10 sports events Aug.11-17

Details/TV: Men’s and women’s final, Sunday, 1 p.m., CBSSN: Kerri Walsh Jennings, despite having won three Olympic gold medals and becoming the face (and body) of beach volleyball the last decade-plus, still has some work to do. She has more career victories than any other female beach player in history. She could become the all-time leader in wins, male or female, and if that happens, it would be right around the time when the 2016 Rio Olympics take place. As for the Manhattan Beach Open — the most prestigious and longest-running tournament in the sport — she has won it four times. Pretty snappy, but that’s only fourth all-time on the list of women’s champs behind Linda Hanley (eight), and Nina Matties and Kathy Gregory (seven each). With partner Whitney Pavlik, Jennings won last year’s MB Open, made all the sweeter because her husband, Casey Jennings, took the men’s title with Matt Fuerbringer in an upset over Sean Rosenthal and Phil Dalhausser. The Jennings family will get their bronze plaques put up on the Manhattan Beach pier in a ceremony Thursday that leads into the weekend competition for this 54th event, all the more special since the family lives in Manhattan Beach. This year, Kerri Walsh Jennings will be with current teammate April Ross and they should be the top seeds. As the 39-year-old Fuerbringer has gone back into retirement, Casey Jennings has been partnering with Avrey Drost, and the two had a nice showing at the recent FIVB event in Long Beach. Dalhausser-Rosenthal may not play this weekend because of a Dalhausser injury, but it will be a game-time decision. John Hyden and Tri Bourne will likely be the men’s top seed, with Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson seeded second.

NO. 2: BASKETBALL EXHIBITION:

U.S. vs. BRAZIL

Details/TV: From Chicago, Saturday at 6 p.m., ESPN:

The next step in Coach K’s process to keep Team USA together in the aftermath of the freak Paul George injury and Kevin Durant exit is getting this roster pared down before it goes to Spain for the FIBA World Cup at the end of the month. This will be Derek Rose’s house party as the Bulls star shows everyone he’s got his game back together.

NO. 3: MLB: DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE

Details/TV: Dodger Stadium, Friday-Sunday, SportsNet L.A.:

If their three-game series last weekend in Milwaukee proved anything …. Really, what did it prove? The Brewers have the third-best road record in the NL, behind the Dodgers and Giants. And if you’re looking ahead to the playoffs, keep copious notes here.

The series:

Friday at 7:10 p.m., Saturday at 6:10 p.m. and Sunday at 1:10 p.m.

NO. 4: MLB: DODGERS at ATLANTA

Details/TV: Today-Thursday, SportsNet L.A. and ESPN:

A recent sweep of the Braves at Dodger Stadium was capped off by another Clayton Kershaw victory. Kershaw’s spot will be missed in this four-game series, however.

The Angels won two games against the Phillies already this year back at Citizens Bank Park. Maybe that’s why, for some silly reason, the Angels have invited the fabled Philly Phanatic to visit the Big A and entertain the crowd for this two-game stopover. Maybe to make the Phillies feel at home again.

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The series: Both games at 7:05 p.m.

NO. 6: MLB: ANGELS at TEXAS

Details/TV: Friday-Sunday, FSW

The Angels have won the last seven meetings, constituting a three-game series sweep June 20-22 and a four-game sweep July 9-13. Garrett Richards, scheduled to start Saturday, is already 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA and 24 Ks in 19 innings against the Rangers this season.

The series: Friday and Saturday at 5:05 p.m., Sunday at 12:05 p.m.

NO. 7: GOLF: USGA U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Details/TV: At Johns Creek, Ga., Sunday at 1 p.m., Ch. 4:

Riviera Country Club doesn’t get to host this thing until 2017, so we’ll be content for now to watch it play out at the Atlanta Athletic Club. England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick won the event last year as an 18-year-old before deciding to turn pro. It was 20 years ago that an 18-year-old named Tiger Woods started his streak of three straight amateur titles.

The regular season comes to a grinding halt. Or does it? The Sparks’ trip to Phoenix is just the warm-up act before they likely face off in a best-of-three first-round matchup for the Western Conference semifinals.

Manchester United, which has won five Premier League titles in the last eight seasons, kicks it off. And you are relegated to pay attention again.

BONUS EVENT:

27th WWE SUMMERSLAM

Details/TV: Staples Center, Sunday at 5 p.m., pay per view:

The headline event puts John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. That’s what the poster says. That’s what we’re going with. The other matches that include Stephanie McMahon against Brie Bella, Jack Swagger vs. Rusev, AJ Lee vs. Paige or The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler is all up to your own interpretation. Let the battle royal begin. More info: wwwe.com